Just Keep Swimming

Just Keep Swimming
By Andi Gossett

She doesn't speak in an Australian accent like Nigel, the brown pelican in Finding Nemo, but she definitely has a personality all her own. Nigelette, and American white pelican, was brought into Wildcare on November 17, after an exciting rescue by Norman-resident Dave Whitely and his family. While riding horses along the Canadian River, Dave, his wife, Pam, and seven-year-old daughter spotted the massive white bird on an embankment near the water. As Dave and his family drew closer, they realized she must be injured.

"She was hopping around, but she didn't try to fly when the horses approached, so I knew something was wrong," Dave said.

Dave coaxed his horse into the river and they followed Nigelette on a two-mile trek before finally catching her. Dave then took her back to his horse trailer in a manner uncommon for pelicans.

"We rode for about five miles on horseback," Dave said. "Five miles is a long way holding a pelican!"

Dave then brought Nigelette to Wildcare, where director Rondi Large accredited the bird's inability to fly to an infection in the elbow and wrist, which caused the bone around the joint to deteriorate. Nor apparent injury could be found that would cause such an infection, and according to Rondi, an old injury is probably to blame for the infection.

"Lots of times when these animals get injured, they don't heal properly," Rondi said. "That's when infections like these begin. Unfortunately, sometimes the infections are more debilitating than the injury."

Nigelette's species, the American white pelican, is one of the world's largest birds, with a wingspan of up to three meters (89.5 feet). The huge, white birds are identified by their black primaries and outer secondaries, as well are their long, scoop-like beaks.

Due to the dark feathers around her head, Rondi believes Nigelette is a young pelican, born this year, who was probably migrating along the central flyway. The central flyway is a migration route, which runs from the northern United States and Canada to the Gulf of Mexico, and it passes directly over Oklahoma. Due to this, Oklahoma sees species of birds, like the pelican, who are not native to this part of the country. American white pelicans live near lakes, marshes, salt bays, and beaches, most commonly in the western and southern United States, although some also live in the northern plains and central Canada. It can be suspected that Nigelette was traveling from the northern U.S. or Canada to the Gulf of Mexico for the winter months.

Due to the infection, Nigelette has lost full range-of-motion in her wing. She is currently being treated with antibiotics and is getting physical therapy to increase movement in her elbow. According to Rondi, she can swim and walk with no problems, and there is hope that she might be released someday. Unlike the smaller brown pelicans, American white pelicans do not plunge into the water for fish, but instead feed by scooping up fish while swimming. Because of this, Nigelette should be able to feed herself.

Nigelette can't speak in an Australian accent, but she can still hope to have adventures in the wild someday. Wildcare staff and volunteers will continue to help her recover; until then, she can take the advice of Nemo's forgetful friend, Dory, and "just keep swimming."